---
title: "Ruth E. Reukauf | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ruth-e-reukauf-judge-yakima-county-superior-court-775-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Ruth E. Reukauf

Yakima County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Yakima County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### photography recording

Scope: statewide

Washington GR 16 allows video recording, audio recording, and still photography by the news media in courtrooms only after the judge has expressly granted permission.

Evidence excerpt: Video and audio recording and still photography by the news media are allowed in the courtroom during and between sessions, provided (1) that permission shall have first been expressly granted by the judge

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### limitations on recording

Scope: statewide

If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.

Evidence excerpt: Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumption

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=775&orgid=743)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=775&orgid=743)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=775&orgid=743)
- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge on the Yakima County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2004 by former Governor Gary F. Locke to fill a vacancy created by the elevation of Hon. Michael W. Leavitt to the U.S. District Court
- Previous role: Presiding judge of Yakima County District Court (2000–2004)
- Early career: held the role of a commissioner and later elected judge of the Yakima County District Court in 1998
- Judicial leadership: Assistant dean of the Washington State Judicial College; introduced the Color of Justice program in Yakima to promote legal careers for women from marginalized groups

### Education

- University of Puget Sound School of Law — J.D. (1987)
- Montana State University — B.A. (1984)

### Additional information

- Miiakah Ann Meitaja Jane Caldera, both filed September 30, 2026.
- Local Hero Award from the Washington State Bar Association (2019)
- Appointment: Appointed 2004 by Gov.
- Prosecutorial work: Deputy prosecuting attorney for King and Yakima Counties
- handling felony sex crimes and criminal division assignments.
- Recent filings show Judge Reukauf presiding over multiple active family and domestic violence cases in Yakima County, such as Shawna Marie Walker v.
- Kassandra Leah Moore and Susanna Gomez v.
- Selection method: Yakima County Superior Court judges are selected by nonpartisan election
- In summary: Judge Ruth E. Reukauf is an experienced Washington state judge with a background in prosecution, judicial leadership, and judicial education, now serving on the Yakima County Superior Court and actively handling family and domestic violence cases.
- Member of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Gender and Justice Commission



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.